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Discussion catalysts in online political discussions: Content importers and conversation starters
Article first published online: 3 AUG 2009
DOI: 10.1111/j.1083-6101.2009.01470.x
© 2009 International Communication Association
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How to Cite
Himelboim, I., Gleave, E. and Smith, M. (2009), Discussion catalysts in online political discussions: Content importers and conversation starters. Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication, 14: 771–789. doi: 10.1111/j.1083-6101.2009.01470.x
Publication History
- Issue published online: 3 AUG 2009
- Article first published online: 3 AUG 2009
- Abstract
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This study addresses 3 research questions in the context of online political discussions: What is the distribution of successful topic starting practices, what characterizes the content of large thread-starting messages, and what is the source of that content? A 6-month analysis of almost 40,000 authors in 20 political Usenet newsgroups identified authors who received a disproportionate number of replies. We labeled these authors “discussion catalysts.” Content analysis revealed that 95 percent of discussion catalysts' messages contained content imported from elsewhere on the web, about 2/3 from traditional news organizations. We conclude that the flow of information from the content creators to the readers and writers continues to be mediated by a few individuals who act as filters and amplifiers.